Part 10/14:

Border authorities, especially along the Colombia-Panama corridor, deploy minimal force and mostly monitor crossing points with symbolic measures—such as colored wristbands to identify migrants' entry dates. Official policy often appears ambivalent, with some officials attempting to regulate but not severely crack down on illegal crossings, acknowledging the economic and political complexities involved.

The Psychological and Cultural Dimensions

Many migrants are not traditional refugees fleeing persecution but are economic migrants seeking improved living standards. They often arrive in South America with little knowledge of outdoor survival, relying on the kindness of locals or fellow migrants.